Comments for Organic Gardening Info from Peaceful Valley

Comment on Workshop: Fruit Trees, Winter Pruning & Care by Kristin @ Peaceful Valley

Kristin @ Peaceful Valley — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:11:20 +0000

Most Rosemary species are hardy to 20° F. They can handle light frosts, but not hard freezes. In cold climates bring plants indoors and place them by a sunny window. Shelter those left outdoors from the effects of winter weather by setting them in a cold frame or fashion a cover of Agribon to protect against winter-burn and the heavy weight of snow. Spraying the foliage with an anti-transpirant spray such as Frost Shield gives additional protection.

Rosemary is very tolerant of pruning, and can be heged, but does not need to be pruned. It’s best to prune right after flowereing, but you can prune it anytime except during flowering.

Comment on Workshop: Fruit Trees, Winter Pruning & Care by Curt

Curt — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:27:46 +0000

How do I winterize rosemary? Should it be prunned? If so how much?

Comment on lead contamination of soil by Mark @ Peaceful Valley

Mark @ Peaceful Valley — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:32:15 +0000

You can get your soil tested for lead at most Ag labs. If your soil is high in lead, it is usually from old flaking paint deposited in the soil or from living near busy highways (when leaded gas was the norm) or airborne lead from local industries. If your soil proves to have high levels of lead, two things can help keep the lead bound up and less available to plants. Adding lots of organic matter, since organic compounds bind lead and make it less available to the plants. Also, keeping the pH of your soil above 6.5 will make the lead less available to the plants. There are lots of good websites with info about lead in the soil, just search under “lead in soil”.
Good luck.

Comment on Q: Almond Hulls as mulch by Fred Hoffman

Fred Hoffman — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:18:08 +0000

Clyde Elmore, UCD Weed specialist, says almond hulls have been tried as a mulch in pistachio orchards: “Almond hulls worked well as weed control mulch. Crows will move it around looking for almond meats. If the mulch is up against the trunk it could cause problems with rodents and disease.”

Comment on Q: Cover Crop Tilling and Seed by Amber @ Peaceful Valley

Amber @ Peaceful Valley — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:59:55 +0000

Curt, without knowing your zip code, my guess for your USDA zone is a 6. If that’s true, you should probably plant a fall cover crop in September (keep in mind that it may be necessary for you to protect your cover crop from frost). Check with your local Master Gardeners for zone information, as well as more specific information about when to plant. This website should help you contact the Master Gardeners in your area: http://mastergardener.osu.edu/

Comment on Q: Almond Hulls as mulch by Amber @ Peaceful Valley

Amber @ Peaceful Valley — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:45:51 +0000

I’m sorry, but I really don’t know and haven’t heard. It seems that the important factors to investigate would be how quickly or slowly the almond hulls break down, how they respond to rainfall and irrigation, if they are effective in weed control (or whatever your desire is for a mulch), and how they affect the soil. These are things I don’t know about with almond hulls. If you have access to them, maybe you should do a trial for yourself on a small scale for a season and observe the results.

Perhaps one of our other bloggers can help!

Comment on Q: My basil is turning yellow! by Sony ACID Pro 6

Sony ACID Pro 6 — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:40:33 +0000

Sony ACID Pro 6 …

I’m new to gardening and tried planting basil in a wooden pot. It flourished at first but now [...]…

Comment on Organic Farming Yields Far Better Crop Resistance and Resiliance by Canada Guy

Canada Guy — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:20:52 +0000

Organic farming methods offer several benefits for the environment and human health as a whole, but unfortunately, there are many misconceptions and falsehoods being spread regarding organic food and farming methods, both by proponents and detractors. Here are the facts about what organic methods can do for us and what they can’t.

http://www.selfdestructivebastards.com/2009/11/organic-myths-and-realities.html

Comment on Q: Cover Crop Tilling and Seed by Curt

Curt — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:16:12 +0000

When is the best time to sow a cover crop in southern Ohio along the Ohio River?
Thanks, Curt

Comment on Q: Cover Crop Tilling and Seed by Janice @ Peaceful Valley

Janice @ Peaceful Valley — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:44:31 +0000

When approximately 1/2 of the cover crop is blooming, before any of it goes to seed is when you want to turn it over. If you have vetch in the mix you may want to chop it up a bit first because it could wrap around tines on a tiller. You can double dig or use a small cultivator to turn the cover crop over.